I made this snapshot last week, the day Debbie and I drove to the Gulf Coast (less than an hour from the Revival where I was preaching) for our “anniversary meal.” She just HAD to slide down the chute, laughing all the way!

Today’s Bible Lesson …

Solomon taught us, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, that … “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

The adjective “merry” here is the Hebrew word “sameach,” meaning “glad, rejoicing,” almost “glowing within!” And the noun “medicine” is “gehah,” the Hebrew word for “healing,” or “cure.”

Yes, I know the Book of Ecclesiastes (by this same Solomon) says: “There is a time to weep.” But then immediately (same verse in fact) it’s also said … “There is a time to laugh!” See Ecclesiastes 3:4.

So I am back to my lead thought!

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13, see my Wife’s countenance! In fact, she smiles a lot!

Later in Proverbs 15 (verse 15, its second half) Solomon quips: “He (or she) that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Wow, where the noun “feast” means “banquet!”

I suppose that to some extent, even today, we who are Believers in Jesus … have a choice. We can look at the day with lifeless abandon, even drudgery. Or we can decide, like the Psalmist … “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we WILL REJOICE and BE GLAD in it.” Psalm 118:24, “we will” is a subject-verb unit indicating volition, determination even!

Joyfulness … the logical outcome for one who is “saved” by the Grace of God!

Praise the Lord!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I enjoyed the “texts” yesterday about the Lesson.

And I’d love to hear from a few of you again today, 770-844-7627.

Be HAPPY in Jesus!